U.S. patent application number 11/396745 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-28 for av apparatus for showing volume adjustment and method therefor.
Invention is credited to Bao-Kim Liu, Jung-Yi Yang.
Application Number | 20070146544 11/396745 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38193163 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070146544 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liu; Bao-Kim ; et
al. |
June 28, 2007 |
AV apparatus for showing volume adjustment and method therefor
Abstract
An AV apparatus for showing a volume adjustment and a method
therefor are provided. When the AV apparatus enters a screen-off
mode, the AV apparatus determines whether a volume is adjustable in
response to a volume adjustment signal. If yes, the volume is
controlled for adjustment and a first indicatory signal is
generated for visually displaying the adjustment. If not, a second
indicatory signal is generated for visually displaying the
inability of adjustment.
Inventors: |
Liu; Bao-Kim; (Guei-Shan
Hsiang, TW) ; Yang; Jung-Yi; (Taoyuan County,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATTERSON, THUENTE, SKAAR & CHRISTENSEN, P.A.
4800 IDS CENTER
80 SOUTH 8TH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-2100
US
|
Family ID: |
38193163 |
Appl. No.: |
11/396745 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/553 ;
348/563; 348/725; 348/E5.102; 348/E5.122 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4852 20130101;
H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N 5/60 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/553 ;
348/725; 348/563 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/44 20060101
H04N005/44 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 27, 2005 |
TW |
094146646 |
Claims
1. An AV apparatus for displaying a volume adjustment, comprising:
an input device for inputting a signal for the volume adjustment; a
micro-controller for determining whether a volume is adjustable in
response to the signal when the AV apparatus enters a screen-off
mode, if yes, controlling the volume adjustment and generating a
first indicatory signal, and if no, generating a second indicatory
signal; and an indicatory device for accomplishing a first
indicatory action in response to the first indicatory signal and
accomplishing a second indicatory action in response to the second
indicatory signal; wherein the first indicatory action and the
second indicatory action visually display a status of the volume
adjustment.
2. The AV apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicatory
device is an LED.
3. The AV apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first
indicatory action is to flash the LED.
4. The AV apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second
indicatory action is to activate illumination without flashing the
LED.
5. The AV apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
micro-controller determines whether the input device continuously
inputs the signal, if no, generates a third indicatory signal, the
indicatory device accomplishes a third indicatory action in
response to the third indicatory signal, and the third indicatory
action is to visually display an end of the volume adjustment.
6. The AV apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the third
indicatory action is to flash the LED once.
7. The AV apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicatory
device comprises a first LED and a second LED.
8. The AV apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first LED
emits red light and the second LED emits yellow light.
9. The AV apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first
indicatory action is to flash the first LED and the second
indicatory action is to activate illumination without flashing the
first LED when the signal indicates increasing the volume.
10. The AV apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
micro-controller determines whether the input device continuously
inputs the signal to increase the volume, if no, generates a third
indicatory signal, the indicatory device accomplishes a third
indicatory action in response to the third indicatory signal, and
the third indicatory action is to flash the first LED once.
11. The AV apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first
indicatory action is to flash the second LED and the second
indicatory action is to activate illumination without flashing the
second LED when the signal indicates decreasing the volume.
12. The AV apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
micro-controller determines whether the input device continuously
inputs the signal to decrease the volume, if no, generates a fourth
indicatory signal, the indicatory device accomplishes a fourth
indicatory action in response to the fourth indicatory signal, and
the fourth indicatory action is to flash the second LED once.
13. The AV apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first LED
is located above the second LED.
14. The AV apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein when a user
faces the AV apparatus, the first LED is located on a right side of
the second LED.
15. A method for displaying a volume adjustment, comprising the
steps of: determining whether a screen-off mode is entered;
receiving a signal for the volume adjustment; determining whether a
volume is adjustable in response to the signal if the screen-off
mode is determined entered; controlling the volume adjustment and
generating a first indicatory signal if the volume is determined
adjustable; generating a second indicatory signal if the volume is
determined not adjustable; displaying a first indicatory action
visually in response to the first indicatory signal; and displaying
a second indicatory action visually in response to the second
indicatory signal.
16. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the step
of: providing an LED; wherein the first indicatory action is to
flash the LED and the second indicatory action is to activate
illumination without flashing the LED.
17. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising the step
of: providing a first LED and a second LED; and determining whether
the signal indicates increasing the volume; wherein the first
indicatory action is to flash the first LED and the second
indicatory action is to activate illumination without flashing the
first LED if the signal is determined to indicate increasing the
volume.
18. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the step
of: determining whether the signal is continuously inputted;
generating a third indicatory signal if the signal is determined
not continuously inputted and is determined to indicate increasing
the volume; and flashing the first LED once in response to the
third indicatory signal.
19. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first indicatory
action is to flash the second LED and the second indicatory action
is to activate illumination without flashing the second LED if the
signal is determined not to indicate increasing the volume.
20. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising the step
of: determining whether the signal is continuously inputted;
generating a fourth indicatory signal if the signal is determined
not continuously inputted and is determined not to indicate
increasing the volume; and flashing the second LED once in response
to the fourth indicatory signal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Taiwan Patent
Application No. 094146646 filed on Dec. 27, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an AV apparatus and a
method for showing volume adjustment, more specifically, to an AV
apparatus and a method for showing volume adjustment action via an
indicatory device when a screen-off mode is entered.
[0004] 2. Descriptions of the Related Art
[0005] In recent years, large-scale AV apparatuses, such as plasma
TV receivers, projection TV receivers, and LCD TV receivers, have
gradually become mainstream products on the market. Since these
large-scale AV apparatuses consume more power than conventional AV
apparatuses do, the manufacturers make their efforts on power
saving. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional
projection TV. The projection TV comprises an antenna 10, a tuner
module 11, a 20 video unit 12, an audio unit 13, a micro-controller
14, an input device 15 and an indicatory device 16, wherein the
video unit 12 comprises a video processing circuit 120, an optical
engine with bulb 121 and a screen 122. The audio unit 13 comprises
an audio processing circuit 130, an audio amplifier 131 and at
least a speaker 132. The indicatory device 16 visually displays an
on/off status of the projection TV.
[0006] The antenna 10 of the projection TV receives the TV RF
signal from air and transfers to the tuner module 11. The tuner
module 11 is equipped to receive the TV RF signal and to output
baseband audio and video signals after demodulation. The baseband
video signals from various channels are displayed via the video
unit 12 after being processed and transformed to a format adapted
to an utilized display unit (not shown) within the optical engine
with bulb 121. More specifically, after the baseband video signal
conveyed in the selected channel is transferred to a formatted
video image via the video processing circuit 120, the formatted
video image is projected onto the screen 122 via the optical engine
with bulb 121. Moreover, sound is processed via the audio unit 13.
First, the baseband audio signal of the selected channel outputted
by the tuner module 11 is transferred to the audio processing
circuit 130. The audio signal, which has been formatted and been
transformed, is amplified via the audio amplifier 131 and is
outputted to the speaker 132. The micro-controller 14 is in charge
of the individual operation of the circuits in the projection TV,
for example, controlling the tuner module 11 to output a baseband
signal conveyed in a certain channel according to the selecting
signal inputted by the input device 15, or controlling the audio
unit 13 to adjust the volume according to the signal for volume
adjustment inputted by the input device 15.
[0007] A screen-off mode is supported by various manufacturers for
saving the power consumption of the optical engine with bulb 121.
That is, the video unit 12 is temporarily shut off and merely makes
the audio unit 13 to be on normal operation. In other words, the
projection TV only outputs audio without video for power saving.
However, the default volumes in the various channels are different
in real application. The volume could be turned to maximum under
the condition that the audio information in some channels probably
is none or is too weak when the projection TV merely outputs audio
without video and the users could not get information of volume
from the screen. The users may be scared or the speakers 132 may be
damaged due to an unexpected large volume once the channel with
audio signals is switched or the users continuously adjust it but
in vain because the users did not receive related information when
the volume has adjusted to a degree of maximum or minimum.
[0008] In order to solve the problems, some AV apparatuses
immediately prohibit volume adjustment when the screen-off mode is
entered. However, the default volumes in various channels are
diverse. Thus, it is extremely inconvenient for the users if it is
unable to be adjusted.
[0009] According to the above-mentioned, it is a significant
problem to provide an AV apparatus and a method for indicatory
volume adjustment in a screen-off mode by using the present
hardware resources to save power consumption and costs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The primary objective of this invention is to provide an AV
apparatus for displaying a volume adjustment. The AV apparatus
comprises an input device, a micro-controller, and an indicatory
device. The input device is utilized to input a signal for the
volume adjustment. The micro-controller is utilized to determine
whether a volume is adjustable in response to the signal when the
AV apparatus enters into a screen-off mode. If yes, the volume
adjustment is controlled to generate a first indicatory signal, and
if no, a second indicatory signal is generated. The indicatory
device accomplishes a first indicatory action in response to the
first indicatory signal and accomplishes a second indicatory action
in response to the second indicatory signal. The first indicatory
action and the second indicatory action visually display a status
of the volume adjustment.
[0011] Another objective of this invention is to provide a method
for displaying a volume adjustment. The method comprises the steps
of determining whether a screen-off mode is entered, receiving a
signal for the volume adjustment, determining whether a volume is
adjustable in response to the signal if the screen-off mode is
determined entered, controlling the volume adjustment and
generating a first indicatory signal if the volume is determined
adjustable, generating a second indicatory signal if the volume is
determined not adjustable, displaying a first indicatory action
visually in response to the first indicatory signal and displaying
a second indicatory action visually in response to the second
indicatory signal.
[0012] The detailed technology and preferred embodiments
implemented for the subject invention are described in the
following paragraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people
skilled in this field to well appreciate the features of the
claimed invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional
projection TV;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment
illustrating an AV apparatus of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the present
invention illustrating an indicatory method of volume adjustment;
and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of another embodiment of the present
invention illustrating an indicatory method of volume
adjustment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an AV apparatus
of the present invention. The embodiment is a rear projection TV,
comprising an input device 20, a micro-controller 22 and an
indicatory device 24. The input device 20 could be a remote control
or a keypad of the rear projection TV which is utilized to input a
signal 26 for volume adjustment. The micro-controller 22 is
utilized to determine whether a volume is adjustable in response to
the signal 26 when the rear projection TV enters a screen-off mode.
If yes, the volume adjustment is controlled to generate a first
indicatory signal, and if no, a second indicatory signal is
generated. The first indicatory signal and the second indicatory
signal could be transferred to the indicatory device 24 via a wire
28. The indicatory device 24 accomplishes a first indicatory action
in response to the first indicatory signal and accomplishes a
second indicatory action in response to the second indicatory
signal, wherein the first indicatory action and the second
indicatory action visually display statuses of volume adjustment.
The indicatory device 24 could be an LED (light emitting diode) or
could comprise a first LED 240 and a second LED 242 as shown in the
figure.
[0018] If the indicatory device 24 consists of a single LED, the
first indicatory action is to flash the LED indicating that volume
is being adjusted and the second indicatory action is to activate
illumination without flashing the LED indicating that the volume is
adjusted to a degree of maximum or minimum and it is not able to be
adjusted further.
[0019] The micro-controller 22 could further determine whether the
input device 20 continuously inputs the signal 26, that is, whether
the user continuously requests for volume adjustment. If no, a
third indicatory signal is generated and transferred to the
indicatory device 24 via the wire 28. The indicatory device 24
accomplishes a third indicatory action in response to the third
indicatory signal and the third indicatory action is utilized to
visually display the volume adjustment is over. For example, flash
the LED one time to indicate an ending of adjustment procedure.
Therefore, the rear projection TV could use the single LED of the
indicatory device 24 to visually display various statuses of the
volume adjustment.
[0020] If the indicatory device 24 comprises the first LED 240 and
the second LED 242, the first indicatory action is to flash the
first LED 240 and the second indicatory action is to activate
illumination without flashing the first LED 240 when the signal 26
indicates to increase the volume. The micro-controller 22 further
determines whether the input device 20 continuously inputs the
signal 26 to increase the volume. If no, a third indicatory signal
is generated. The indicatory device 24 accomplishes a third
indicatory action in response to the third indicatory signal, for
example, flashing the first LED 240 one time.
[0021] The first indicatory action is to flash the second LED 242
and the second indicatory action is to activate illumination
without flashing the second LED 242 when the signal 26 indicates to
decrease the volume. The micro-controller 22 further determines
whether the input device 20 continuously inputs the signal 26 to
decrease the volume. If no, a fourth indicatory signal is
generated. The indicatory device 24 accomplishes a fourth
indicatory action in response to the fourth indicatory signal, for
example, flashing the second LED 242 one time.
[0022] As above-mentioned, because the indicatory device 24
comprises two LEDs, the present invention arranges an LED (i.e. the
first LED 240) to display a status of increasing volume and the
other LED (i.e. the second LED 242) to display a status of
decreasing volume. More specifically, the first LED 240 could be
located above or located on a right side when a user faces the rear
projection TV in accordance with the user's supposition that an
upper or right side indicates to increase the volume.
[0023] Moreover, the first LED 240 and the second LED 242 of the
present invention emit different colors of light for easily being
distinguished by the user. For example, the first LED 240 emits red
light and the second LED 242 emits yellow light.
[0024] FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the present invention
illustrating an indicatory method of volume adjustment. First, in
step 300 a normal operation mode is performed. Step 302 is
performed to determine whether a screen-off mode is entered. If no,
goes back to step 300, and if yes, step 304 is performed to receive
a signal of the volume adjustment. Then, step 306 is performed to
determine whether a volume is adjustable in response to the signal.
Step 310 is performed to control the volume adjustment and to
generate a first indicatory signal if the volume is determined
adjustable. Then, step 312 is performed to visually display a first
indicatory action in response to the first indicatory signal. If
the volume is determined not adjustable in step 306, step 320 is
performed to generate a second indicatory signal. Then, step 322 is
performed to visually display a second indicatory action in
response to the second indicatory signal.
[0025] The embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, further comprises a step
of providing an LED, wherein the first indicatory action is to
flash the LED indicating that the volume is being adjusted by the
user and the second indicatory action is to activate illumination
without flashing the LED indicating that the volume is adjusted to
a degree of maximum or minimum and it is not able to be adjusted
further.
[0026] The embodiment could be similar to the above-mentioned
embodiment of the AV apparatus which comprises a step of
determining whether the signal is continuously inputted. If no, a
step of generating a third indicatory signal and a step of flashing
the LED one time in response to the third indicatory signal for
visually displaying an end of the volume adjustment are
performed.
[0027] FIG. 4 is another embodiment of the present invention
illustrating an indicatory method of volume adjustment. First, a
first LED and a second LED are provided in step 400. In other
words, two LEDs are applied in this embodiment. Next, in step 402,
whether a screen-off mode is entered is determined. If no,
re-performs step 402 after a period of time, and if yes, performs
step 404, which is to receive a signal of volume adjustment. Then,
step 406 is performed to determine whether the signal is to
increase the volume. If yes, step 408 is performed to determine
whether the volume is in maximum. If a positive judgment is
determined in step 408, step 410 is performed subsequently to
activate illumination without flashing the first LED. If a negative
judgment is determined in step 408, step 412 is performed
subsequently to increase the volume and to flash the first LED. In
Step 414, to determine whether the signal for increasing the volume
is continuously inputted is performed after the steps of 410 and
412. If yes, goes back to step 406, and if no, step 416 is
performed to generate the third indicatory signal and to flash the
first LED one time in response to the third indicatory signal is
performed in step 418.
[0028] If a negative judgment is determined in step 406, which
indicates that the signal is to decrease the volume, step 420 is
performed to determine whether the volume is in minimum. If yes,
step 422 is performed subsequently to activate illumination without
flashing the second LED. If no, step 424 is performed to decrease
the volume and to flash the second LED. After the steps of 422 and
424, step 426 is performed to determine whether the signal is
continuously inputted to decrease the volume. If yes, goes back to
step 406, and if no, step 428 is performed to generate a fourth
indicatory signal and to flash the second LED one time in response
to the fourth indicatory signal in step 430.
[0029] In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, when the user
increases the volume, the first LED is flashed and the second LED
is activated illumination without flashing. If the volume is
already in maximum, the two LEDs keep illuminating without
flashing. Similarly, when the user decreases the volume, the second
LED is flashed and the first LED is activated illumination without
flashing. If the volume is already in minimum, the two LEDs keep
illuminating without flashing.
[0030] As above-mentioned, the first LED of the embodiment as shown
in FIG. 4 could be an LED located above or the one located on a
right side when the user faces the AV apparatus. Moreover, the
first LED and the second LED are able to emit different color of
light for easily distinguished by users. For example, the first LED
emits red light and the second LED emits yellow light.
[0031] To sum up, the present invention discloses an AV apparatus
indicating a status of adjustment in a screen-off mode for a user
using conventional display resources. It could efficiently solve
the prior problems which lack the relative information of volume
adjustment.
[0032] The above disclosure is related to the detailed technical
contents and inventive features thereof. People skilled in this
field may proceed with a variety of modifications and replacements
based on the disclosures and suggestions of the invention as
described without departing from the characteristics thereof.
Nevertheless, although such modifications and replacements are not
fully disclosed in the above descriptions, they have substantially
been covered in the following claims as appended.
* * * * *